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Chapter 47: From Ridge
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Pelican Bay Security Chapter 48: Future Risk
VOLUME TWO: FUTURE RISKPlease don't let this be a big hairy spider.Please don't let this be a big hairy spider.With a deep breath I stick my hand in the hole in the drywall, making slow progress. The palm of my hand disappears until I no longer make out even an outline in the shadows. I stop and squint to get a better look, twisting my fingers."What the fark?"I rip my hand from the hole and drop the green mushy stack. It falls to the floor with a squishy splat.It's...money.A large stack of fifty-dollar bills is secured together by an orange band of paper in the middle. Bands like the kind banks use to keep money together. Using a single finger, I tip the stack over. The edges are wet and... well mushy. Like sitting in the wall behind an oven caused the money to deteriorate.My hand goes back in the hole, no longer concerned about spiders. There are probably some back there, but the prospect of money outweighs my fear. It takes three more trips back and forth. The
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 49: Hide the Evidence
"Hey, Bennett," I say, taking little side steps until I'm standing next to Katy. One more body in front of the money won't hurt.He stops and tilts his head to the side, giving us a thoughtful expression I can't quite put my finger on a name for. "Why are Katy and Tabitha standing in front of a stack of money?"Inquisitive. I guess his look would be classified as inquisitive."Well...funny that..." I've never been especially quick on my feet when it comes to lying, and it doesn't look like I plan to start now. It doesn't help the hunky man-beast in front of me is gorgeous. He's not as wide-chested as Ridge, but the bulging arm muscles more than make up for it. With his almost black hair and bright green eyes, he reminds me of all the crushes I had back in high school.Apparently I have a type."Do you need a ride to the bank?""Anessa found it in the wall." Tabitha takes a step away from the money pile, distancing herself.Not to be outdone, Katy steps back gesturing to t
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 50: Anyone Want a Cookie?
Katy clears her throat for at least the sixth time in the last twenty minutes and looks at me, widening her eyes. Clearly she's trying to tell me something.What that something is, I have no idea.I stop by the walk-in freezer with my hand on the door. "Would anyone like some cookies?"Bennett and Ridge were huddled together in the corner of the kitchen speaking in low voices two seconds ago, but now both turn with similar questioning looks. Hasn't anyone heard of cookies making everyone feel better? It worked in the Matrix movies."No, we're good in the cookie department." Bennett looks me up and down like he's checking for a second head."I could go for a cookie." Tabitha steps around the prep table headed for the large walk-in refrigerator where I keep racks of extra desserts."No cookies," Ridge says a little louder than necessary. "We don't know what the situation is yet. There could be evidence in there."Tabitha stops long enough to give him an are-you-serious look
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 51: A Brand-new Stove
"How long do you have to stay here?" I ask Bennett as he pushes my brand-new stove into place. The delivery guys dropped it off a few minutes after Ridge and everyone else left, roughly an hour ago. Thankfully, Ridge took the money with him so I was spared more questions.Bennett uses his hip to push the stove the final inch, which should be impossible for an industrial stove but he acts as if it's simple. "What? Don't you enjoy having me around to help?"Do I? That's the problem. I like having Bennett around here way more than I should. His strong biceps, the way he bites the corner of his lips together when in thought, the way he stood by me protectively during the whole money thing. If I was a cartoon heroine, this is the point when I start swooning. Which means it's also the time he needs to get out.It's hot enough in my kitchen. I don't need to add fantasies of Bennett to the oven."Of course I like having you around," I lie. Or don't lie... I'm still not quite sure how I
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 52: I Stress Bake
The phone rings."Don't answer it," Bennett hollers from the kitchen.I shake my head and pass over Pearl's chocolate blueberry muffin. I couldn't sleep last night so I came down and played for a few hours. Some people stress eat. I stress bake. And after 2 a.m. there's no telling what will come out of my oven. There are perks and problems to living above a bakery."Don't shake your head like you don't enjoy having a handsome guy like Bennett in the back of your kitchen," Pearl clucks at me a few times while she takes her seat, balancing the muffin on a dainty plate.Bennett bumps me on his way through the metal doors in an effort to get the phone before it quits ringing. "The Bakery."Pearl has a point. Bennett's answered my phone for the past two days even though I haven't had any new threatening calls. The first twenty-four hours having him constantly in my space had my nerves unraveling, but we found our groove working together. It's nice to have someone around for the he
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 53: The Guest Room is Available
I snort. "She told me the guest room is always available when I come to my senses and decide to marry a nice local boy." I use air quotes around "local boy" because I hadn't found any of those before I left, but that wouldn't matter to her. She pushed my brother into marrying the neighbor girl he had a play wedding with in preschool. "Worst case scenario I could go to college and get a degree in an acceptable field.""Doctor, lawyer, maybe an accountant?" Bennett ticks most of my mother's list off on his fingers while I nod at each. "Yes." He bites the side of his lips. "You're definitely not an accountant.""Accountants aren't allowed so much color." It wouldn't be me if it wasn't pink. "I enrolled in the business program at the local community college to keep her happy but quickly flunked out. I had more fun working my part-time job at this little diner in town. It was full of truckers and other riffraff. A rather tough crowd, but I loved it.""So you left the truckers, moved t
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 54: Gunshots
"Get down!" Bennett throws himself on top of me, and together we fall to the ground like a heavy sack of potatoes. My elbow smacks the hard tile, jarring the bone but stopping my head before it strikes the floor.From our position behind the counter, I can't see any of the action, but the sounds of glass raining on the floor and then a continued series of pops rings in my ears. Bennett positions his arm around my head in slow motion. The entire room freezes until I swear I'm able to make out each individual piece of glass making contact with the hard floor and bouncing off in the distance.And then just as quickly it all stops. The bakery is an eerie quiet except for the sound of my heart thumping against my ribcage."Are you okay?" Bennett slides off me, reaching behind him and pulling out a black gun. It's smaller than I expect a gun to be...and plastic. Nothing like the weapons you see on TV. "Stay down." He pushes my shoulder to reinforce his point.Time speeds up. Like som
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 55: Where the Hell is She?
The small ring I wear on my right hand catches on the fabric of my apron. I need to take it off. The once bright pink fabric is now covered with large patches of red. They're slowly becoming crusty as they dry. It's enough to make my stomach roll if I think about it. So I try not to. Instead I stare at the light blue walls of the hospital waiting room.I need to get up and throw the apron away. Find a bathroom and wash the matching color from my hands. But what I should do, what I need to do, and what I want to do are all things my body can't do in this moment. The paramedics directed me to the small waiting room off the side of the ER less than ten minutes ago. I plopped my ass in one of the uncomfortable plastic grey chairs and haven't moved since.My legs seem to have forgotten how to carry me places. Not that I know where to go if they could."Where the hell is she?" a voice booms from right outside the waiting room door.Before he receives an answer, Bennett sticks his hea
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Pelican Bay Security Chapter 324: From Elliot
ElliotFive years later"No, sweetie, we only get one puppy today." I squat getting on the same level as my daughter, Brandise.The round ball of fluff she squeezes onto with all her might so he doesn't run away licks her across the face and she giggles. "Daddy, they're twins just me and Bray. They have to stay together."My eyes flick back and forth between each dog. One held in the tight grip of Brandise and the other being sized up by my son. Their mother, Harley, a woman who took too long for me to figure she meant everything stands between the two of them with her lips pinched together not helping me in this situation. She's left me out in the cold on my own.The two puppy siblings look alike, but in my eyes every Yorkie looks the same. How can you tell them apart? The puppies my babies held both had a lighter colored face than Rocky, but other than that they were big puffballs of fur."Sweetie, Rocky only needs one brother," I try again hoping to talk sense into her.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: No Listening to Reason
Elliot's steps are slow but sure as I hold open the bakery door to let him get through the space. Once he's cleared the way, I stand beside him in case he needs me for support as he makes his way to the first table in the busy sitting section. You wouldn't expect a shoulder injury to cause issues walking, but with each movement his body makes, his shoulder sways with the force and his face grimaces.It's too soon for him to be up and moving, but I couldn't make him listen to reason.He finds his seat and plops in it heavily, the chair legs scraping on the tile. The people around us stop what they're doing and turn before a small round of applause starts from behind the bakery counter and then picks up including people from every space in the bakery. Elliot turns to the noise, catching everyone in their adoration, and scowls until the clapping fades."Cupcakes for everyone," Anessa says smiling from her spot at the counter. "Especially for our new hero."Elliot's scowl deepens.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 323: Eligible Bachelors
Dominick releases a breath and sucks in another one as if preparing himself for this new life. "Are you positive? Because there are very eligible bachelors in my club. A brother could keep you safe."I don't argue with him that Elliot kept me safe. Well at least until he got shot, and no one can blame a man for that. He literally stuck his body in between me and a loaded weapon. How much more could he have done?Plus I could never live life in the club again. Now after experiencing life on my own. "Yeah, and then they'd cheat on me or go to prison."Dominick shakes his head. "My men aren't that way. They love hard and deep. I changed the club here, Harley. It's different from how we grew up in Colorado."There's honesty in his words, but it will never be enough to bring me back. "Elliot is mine."Dom shakes his head once, admitting defeat. "Fine. Onto topic two. I met your father," he says father accusatorily like I've been keeping something from him.Which, in a way, I hav
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: Three Bullets to the Chest
Without warning there's another harsh pop in the air like someone shooting off a firecracker, and then red blossoms in the middle of Pete's forehead. His body falls back hitting the ground once again. The thud is too far away to hear, but I swear my body feels the vibration.Holy fuck.My ears ring from the gunfire as men pool around us each of them yelling things back and forth. It's coordinated chaos. An ambulance with its lights flashing speeds over the highway."That man took three bullets to the chest," Huxley mutters to himself shaking his head. "I haven't seen anything that crazy since Thailand."... The steady beat of Elliot's hospital machines lulls me into a restless sleep as my head rests on Elliot's hand."Harley," a deep voice whispers in my ear, shaking my shoulder. "Har."In a start my head pops up and my eyes search Elliot's face, but his hand still rests underneath my head, a pool of my drool sticking between his fingers."Still drool, huh? I wouldn't
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 321: Nobody to Save Me
"Dominick won't pay anything for me," I lie.Pete laughs. "Don't want money. I'm looking to trade you for a free get-out-of-town card. If he won't offer me his protection, you'll be a going away gift to my men. They're upset with having to leave. I'm sure you understand.""What?" Fear causes me to choke out the word as a hundred images flash through my brain of what he could mean, but only one is sick and depraved enough for this man.He smirks. "They'll love you if the Impaler doesn't."I fall to my knees against the back of his seat. "No, please don't." I'd rather he shoot me now than do what his smile promises. He means I'm to be a sexual gift given to his men and passed between them. I'd never survive. Sure, Dom trained me in basic self-defense skills, but my mother sheltered me from club life so I only heard the evils of the world through others. Until now, I never once felt concern for my safety. Not the way I do now.The cargo van travels on the highway, passing a bill
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 320: Nothing Drastic
"Stand up, Fucker."Elliot scoots away from me as I claw deftly on his leg trying to hold on and keep him close. He turns, not making any sudden movements and puts his body in front of mine to shield me once again from the nasties of life."Let's not do anything drastic, Pete." Elliot takes a step forward with his hand held out defensively.I twist seeing the old man wearing a pair of board shorts, a blue Hawaiian shirt with palm trees, and flip-flops on his feet standing in the middle of the beach. He resembles a tourist who belongs in Florida not a man running a drug ring in Pelican Bay. He sneers at me taking the tension from Elliot for just a moment and waving the gun in his direction as if either of us could forget it's there."She's the only one who can name me. Without her I can pick up shop and start somewhere fresh and there's nothing you can do about it. You guys don't have shit on me.""You're standing in the middle of a public beach during the day, Pete," Elliot t
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 319: Stagnant Words
He flinches as of my question has hurt him, but I'm the child who didn't have a father. "I got out early for good behavior and I looked up your mother. I learned what happened. Sorry about your loss," he says. The words are stagnant as if he knows what he's supposed to say but struggles with the meaning. Yet, something in the inflection makes me believe he means each one. His eyes turn soft, possibly remembering his time with my mother.My life has never been cupcakes and cookies, but the last month has been indescribable except for the word surreal. First, I had no father, then I picked up a club president for a stepdad, lost him, and now gained back the original. What is happening to my life?"What will happen now?"My father shakes his head and stares at me with a touch of a smile tweaking his lips. "I'm out of the club life. Plan to take the straight and narrow from here on out."I hold back the cringe at his promise. It's one I've heard from club brothers my entire life. E
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 318: She Deserves Better
Elliot shakes his head, his fingers curving around the handle of his gun. His face pinches together as if he has so much to say, but is staying silent for me.Until he doesn't anymore."Would someone mind telling me what the fuck is going on?"He's not the only one looking for answers. "Me too. Mom said you died in a motorcycle crash. Drove your bike over a mountain ledge one night." She hadn't said he'd been drinking, but I've filled in the blanks for myself as I aged.My father's teeth come together hard making a gnashing sound I hear even from my position. "Yeah well. She thought it would be better than the true story. Easier for both of you to move on rather than wait around on me living only a half-life.""Then what is the true story?" After my mom left Dominick's dad, it was the three of us together. I always believed we never hid any secrets from one another.My father shakes his head and stares at me but looks past me as if he's reliving the memories himself. "She s
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 317: Escape Plans
My gaze and thoughts flip to the back door, but I'm too far away to reach it before he could shoot me.The man is younger than Pete and not the person I saw put a bullet in someone earlier this month, but he's old enough to be my father. His skin is leathered and wrinkled as if he's spent a lifetime in the sun. His jeans are loose and a leather jacket lacking any MC cut is wrapped around his body. Not a Bloodhound.I stand next to the kitchen island breathing heavily while trying to come up with an escape plan as the two of us stare at one another unmoving.He speaks first. "Now, Harley, is this any way to greet the old man who named you?"His words scatter in my brain, startling me into paying attention, all my plans of escape lost. "Excuse me? My father named me."It was one of the few stories I had of the man who shared such a brief relationship with my mother. "He wanted to pay homage to the best...""Damn motorcycle company the US has ever seen," he finishes my sentenc
